'It was horrifying': Fire destroys couple's business, home northwest of Edmonton
The owners of a general store in the hamlet of Blue Ridge, Alta., are safe after escaping the burning building Saturday night.
“We heard our mom saying like fire and then... and then the phone basically cut off,” recalled Rebecca Lee, the daughter of James and Ann, owners of the Blue Ridge General Store.
Lee told CTV News Edmonton her and her sister Brianna were in “hysterics” after the phone call.
“We basically just tried to call everybody we knew in town to see if they could go check up on our parents.”
Blue Ridge has a population of about 211 people and is located approximately 162 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
'WHAT WAS ONCE A STORE'
Nikita Ganovicheff, communications coordinator for Woodlands County, said firefighters responded to the blaze at around 8:40 p.m. on Feb. 26.
Twenty-three firefighters from Blue Ridge, Anselmo, Goose Lake, Fort Assiniboine and Whitecourt fire departments stayed on site until 1:40 a.m. to manage hot spots and flare ups.
However, the crew from Blue Ridge stayed until Sunday night to ensure the fire was completely out as heavy equipment removed parts of the store.
“It was just horrifying to look at, you know? What was once a store that we were so familiar with,” Lee said of the store and her parents home being a complete loss.
The Blue Ridge General Store is completely destroyed after a fire Saturday night. (Source: CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson)
Lee said her parents have been part of the community for years making the store a staple for residents.
“It was where everyone just kind of stopped by and said hello and yeah, it was like a little pit stop for everybody.”
“People around here know them as James and Ann.”
While the loss has been devastating, Lee said the community response has been “immediate.”
The neighbouring Blue Ridge Motel even provided them with a place to stay until they can get back on their feet.
“They’ve opened their rooms for our family,” Lee said.
Even though the family is grateful for the continued support, Lee said the immense loss is still sinking in.
“I think they’re super overwhelmed and then they’re super thankful…They’re just trying to process it as best as they could.”
'STOP BY AND REMINISCE'
Jenna Wilson, a librarian, was born and raised in Blue Ridge. She said her first job was at the general store for “many years.”
“We had nights that us kids were allowed to run free in the store, play hide-and-seek, tag, all these things in the store after hours so just so many different memories.”
As a way to preserve some of those memories, Wilson said people have been writing notes in the shape of a heart to the family.
The plan is to laminate each one and hang them on the security fence around the rubble.
“Why don’t we make that a beautiful place where people can stop by and reminisce and see something that’s beautiful instead of something that’s broken and damaged,” she said.
The Blue Ridge General Store is completely destroyed after a fire tore through the building. (Source: CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson)
As to whether or not the family will rebuild, Rebecca said they would “love to.”
“Obviously we’ll have to see what the circumstances look like and then go from there.”
A GoFundMe has been launched in support of the family and thousands of dollars have been raised so far.
Ganovicheff said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
Fast food chain value deals ramp up in the United States: What does it mean for Canada?
After years of price increases and a decline in customers, fast food chains in the United States are competing with each other and offering value deals in hopes of bringing more foot traffic into their establishments.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
2 children among 5 people hospitalized after head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa's west end
Two young children and three adults were seriously injured in a major collision on Highway 417 between Palladium Drive and Carp Road in Ottawa's west end Friday afternoon.
Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, dies at 86
Marian Shields Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama who moved with the first family to the White House when son-in-law Barack Obama was elected president, has died. She was 86.